As much as we would all like to live in a Star Trek-friendly place where the entire world is in lock step with global needs, this isn’t our reality. Instead, there are allies and enemies all over the map, which means that countries that are friends of the United States might border an adversary.
For reasons that include resources or the desire of one dictator to expand their rule, wars have been fought for thousands of years. As a result, bordering nations have often fought, and while we hope this isn’t the case today, it remains a real possibility for any of the countries listed below.
15. Jordan
Jordan is a big recipient of US aid.
Another big recipient of US foreign aid, Jordan’s proximity to both Iran and Syria makes it a strong ally of the United States. Like Israel and Saudi Arabia, Jordan is a key ally in the region and receives almost $1.5 billion in military aid. Jordan also hosts thousands of US troops, as well as receiving military hardware like the F-16 jet and Black Hawk helicopters.
14. Turkey
Potential adversaries surround Turkey.
With the US having a major military base in Incirlik, Turkey, the US has provided Turkey with F-16 jets as well as approximately $500 million in military aid every year. Both Syria and Iran are vocal opponents of Turkey’s NATO membership as well as any potential influence it would look to exert in the Middle East.
13. Romania
Romania has a strong US military presence.
A NATO member, Romania is home to a few thousand U.S. troops and has also received over $400 million in military aid over the past decade. Any Russian aggression against Ukraine has created fear inside Romania that the former Soviet satellite nation could be next on its hit list.
12. Georgia
Georgia and the US have had a cooperative agreement since 2009.
With a land border with Russia, Georgia is a strategic partner of the United States and has been floated as a potential future NATO member. The US-Georgia military information agreement has been in place since 2009, and with Russia occupying almost 20% of the country, Russia opposes any potential NATO membership.
11. Ukraine
The US has supplied Ukraine with significant military supplies.
Amid a major military conflict with Russia, Ukraine has received more than $66.5 billion in military assistance since 2022. While the US and NATO won’t commit ground forces, it has instead provided the Ukrainian military with Javelin missiles, tanks, and other equipment to help it fight back against Russian aggression.
10. Israel
Israel is one of the largest recipients of US aid.
Israel is a major non-NATO ally and the recipient of almost $4 billion in annual US military aid. Israel and America cooperate across several military purposes, including the development of Israel’s Iron Dome. With Israel fighting an ongoing conflict with Syria and Iran, the US has a vested interest in maintaining Israeli military dominance in the region.
9. Japan
Japan is a very strategic US ally in the Pacific.
With maritime borders against both Russia, China, and North Korea, Japan is in a dangerous position in the case of a global conflict. Following World War II, Japan has become an integral ally, with the US maintaining more than 50,000 troops stationed across numerous Japanese bases. The US also provides Japan with significant military aid to bolster its forces against regional threats.
8. Norway
Norway is a founding member of NATO.
A neighbor to Russia, Norway is a founding member of NATO and also a recipient of US foreign aid and military assistance. Norway’s tensions with Russia date back to the Cold War, with Russia viewing Norway as a NATO member that could potentially encircle Russian defenses, making it an immediate target in the event of a broader conflict.
7. Poland
Poland has a very strong military presence.
On the western border of Russia sits Poland, where more than 10,000 US troops are hoping to deter any potential Soviet aggression. This buildup is a response to the Ukrainian invasion, while the US signed a cooperative pact with Poland in 2020, giving it more than $1 billion in annual aid.
6. Lithuania
Lithuania borders two potential US enemies.
Yet another Russian neighboring state, Lithuania borders both Russia and Belarus, two opposing nations for the US, especially in light of the Ukraine war. The US has provided Lithuania with its Patriot missile system as well as $300 million in military aid over the last decade. Any additional Russian aggression in the region could very well target the Lithuanian nation and its people.
5. Latvia
Latvia is deeply concerned about the war in Ukraine.
Neighboring both Russia and its puppet state of Belarus, Latvia is in a worrisome position with the Ukraine-Iraq war. A NATO member since 2004, Latvia has hosted small numbers of NATO troops and received hundreds of millions of dollars in US military aid over the last decade. Latvia’s location is of critical importance should NATO ever decide to launch an invasion of Russia.
4. South Korea
South Korea is a major US ally.
One of the world’s biggest threats is that of North Korean aggression against its southern neighbors. While peace talks have taken place, an isolated North Korea often lashes out against the US, Japan, and South Korea. For this reason, South Korea is home to the single largest US troop presence in the world, outside of the continental United States.
3. Finland
Finland has long been wary of its Russian neighbors.
There is no question that Finland and Russia have a military history, including major aggression during World War II. Russia opposes Finland’s NATO membership, which it joined in 2023, as this also granted the US access to more than 15 bases within the Finnish nation. Finland’s alignment with many pro-EU policies put it at direct odds with Russia’s very anti-Western beliefs.
2. Estonia
Estonia is a small but notable ally of the United States.
Located on Russia’s western border, Estonia has been a member of NATO since 2004. The US has provided Estonia with nearly $500 million in military aid. Russia views Estonia’s NATO membership as a significant threat. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has increased potential fears of the fight expanding to Estonia.
1. Taiwan
The US has committed to protecting Taiwan against China.
With just over 100 miles from China, Taiwan is one of the United States’ best allies in Southeast Asia. For its part, China claims Taiwan is a province and believes that reunifying the two nations is a core national interest. If Taiwan were ever to declare independence, it would undoubtedly lead to a war that would involve the United States coming to Taiwan’s aid against Chinese military forces.
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